Steel Pack Shot Blasting Machine
The steel pack shot blasting machine is a method of cleaning, prepping and preparing steel surfaces for finishing operations or other treatments. The process utilizes direct contact with stainless steel shot or other abrasive materials that physically remove surface coatings, rust and other foreign particles from the component surfaces. Typical applications of steel pack shot blasting range from mild cleaning and deburring to aggressive removal of surface contaminants prior to powder coating or similar metallurgical treatments.
Steel pack shot blasting machines can come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the application. For most applications, the type of equipment used will be either a wheel-type shot blaster or an automated shot blaster. Wheel-type units employ centrifugal force to spin a wheel containing shot blast abrasive media, while automated shot blasting machines can offer more customization such as variable air pressure settings, length of cleaning cycle, turntable rotation speeds, and media feed rates.
Regardless of the machine type, the steel pack shot blasting process relies mostly on discarding the abrasive media and the contaminants into a removable chamber where they can be collected and disposed of. The process begins with the introduction of the steel pack or other components into the center of the machine and the rotation or conveyor operation of the shot blasting unit.
The steel pack components are then exposed to high-pressure jets of shot blasting media, which impacts the surface of the components. As the media scratches and chips off the surface, the contaminants are removed and discarded in the removable chamber. The process continues until all surface contaminants have been removed, without damaging or altering the underlying steel surface, leaving it primed and ready for finishing.
Not only does shot blasting provide a superior and more consistent result than many traditional sanding, grinding or manual cleaning processes, but it can also save considerable time and money as well. The process can be automated and parts do not need to be moved or handled, allowing for high throughput and shorter cycle times.
Additionally, because of its abrasive nature, shot blasting is incredibly effective at removing rust and other surface contaminants, including heavy carbon build up. This can save manufacturers time and money in re-finishing the parts. In some cases, the shot blasting process can replace grit blasting and other chemical stripping methods, making the process much safer and more efficient.
In summary, the steel pack shot blasting process is a critical one in any operation where steel components must be routinely cleaned, prepped, and prepared for additional treatments. The process quickly removes surface contaminants, rust, and other foreign particles without damaging the underlying steel surface and readies it for finishing. Additionally, the process is relatively fast, efficient, and cost-effective, saving manufacturers time and money by eliminating the need for other cleaning methods.
